This study was realized to test De Wardener's hypothesis on the presence of a plasmatic and natriuretic factor in essential hypertension. By an indirect approach consisting of modification of plasma ... [more ▼]

This study was realized to test De Wardener's hypothesis on the presence of a plasmatic and natriuretic factor in essential hypertension. By an indirect approach consisting of modification of plasma volume and sodium pool in chronic renal failure and primary hypertension with, at the same time , measurements of ionic flux variations in human erythrocytes, we provide some arguments to confirm the presence of such a factor in hydrosaline overloaded uraemic patients and in "salt-sensitive" essential hypertensive subjects. [less ▲]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the most appropriate sampling procedure and the effect of incubation temperature on fungal culture in the diagnosis of canine sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA). METHODS: Sixteen dogs ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the most appropriate sampling procedure and the effect of incubation temperature on fungal culture in the diagnosis of canine sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA). METHODS: Sixteen dogs with SNA and 20 dogs with non-fungal nasal disease entered a prospective study. Nasal secretions and mucosal biopsies were collected in all dogs. Fungal plaques were also sampled in dogs with SNA. Each specimen was taken in duplicate from each dog and incubated at room temperature and 37 degrees C. RESULTS: In dogs with SNA, nasal secretions, mucosal biopsies and fungal plaques yielded fungal growth at room temperature in one, one and seven dogs, respectively, whereas fungal growth was obtained at 37 degrees C in three, 12 and 14 dogs, respectively. No specimen collected from any dog with non-fungal nasal disease yielded fungal growth at room temperature or at 37 degrees C. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The diagnosis of canine SNA is more likely to be confirmed following culture of mucosal biopsies or fungal plaques than nasal secretions sampled blindly with swabs. Incubating cultures at 37 degrees C is more likely to provide a diagnostic outcome than when samples are cultured at room temperature. Fungal culture of nasal specimens has good specificity for the diagnosis of SNA in dogs. [less ▲]

in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology International (1998), 45(5), 813-21

We isolated a clone comprising four exons of the carp Pit-1 gene. Using synthetic oligonucleotide probes derived from the carp Pit-1 sequence Pit-1 expression was assessed by in situ hybridization in ... [more ▼]

We isolated a clone comprising four exons of the carp Pit-1 gene. Using synthetic oligonucleotide probes derived from the carp Pit-1 sequence Pit-1 expression was assessed by in situ hybridization in pituitary sections from summer- and winter-acclimatized carp. Semiquantitative analyses of the hybridization signals revealed a significant higher Pit-1 expression in the proximal pars distalis (PPD) and pars intermedia (PI) of the pituitary glands from summer-acclimatized carp, compared to the winter-acclimatized fish. In both adaptive states, relative to the PPD and PI, only a basal Pit-1 expression was detected in the rostral pars distalis. Thus, during seasonal acclimatization of an eurythermal fish, Pit-1 seems to be involved in the mechanisms that underlie the compensatory response. [less ▲]

Branch enclosure measurements of monoterpene emision rates have been performed at different positions in the canopy of a European beech tree in natural environmental conditions. Strong and position ... [more ▼]

Branch enclosure measurements of monoterpene emision rates have been performed at different positions in the canopy of a European beech tree in natural environmental conditions. Strong and position-dependent standard emission rate variations were observed in the course of the growth season. By using the obtained dataset and a modified vesrion of the MEGAN algorithm, the response of the emissions to short-term light and temperature history was investigated [less ▲]

In the healthy brain, less than 5% of α-synuclein (α-syn) is phosphorylated at serine 129 (Ser(P)-129). However, within Parkinson disease (PD) Lewy bodies, 89% of α-syn is Ser(P)-129. The effects of Ser(P ... [more ▼]

In the healthy brain, less than 5% of α-synuclein (α-syn) is phosphorylated at serine 129 (Ser(P)-129). However, within Parkinson disease (PD) Lewy bodies, 89% of α-syn is Ser(P)-129. The effects of Ser(P)-129 modification on α-syn distribution and solubility are poorly understood. As α-syn normally exists in both membrane-bound and cytosolic compartments, we examined the binding and dissociation of Ser(P)-129 α-syn and analyzed the effects of manipulating Ser(P)-129 levels on α-syn membrane interactions using synaptosomal membranes and neural precursor cells from α-syn-deficient mice or transgenic mice expressing human α-syn. We first evaluated the recovery of the Ser(P)-129 epitope following either α-syn membrane binding or dissociation. We demonstrate a rapid turnover of Ser(P)-129 during both binding to and dissociation from synaptic membranes. Although the membrane binding of WT α-syn was insensitive to modulation of Ser(P)-129 levels by multiple strategies (the use of phosphomimic S129D and nonphosphorylated S129A α-syn mutants; by enzymatic dephosphorylation of Ser(P)-129 or proteasome inhibitor-induced elevation in Ser(P)-129; or by inhibition or stable overexpression of PLK2), PD mutant Ser(P)-129 α-syn showed a preferential membrane association compared with WT Ser(P)-129 α-syn. Collectively, these data suggest that phosphorylation at Ser-129 is dynamic and that the subcellular distribution of α-syn bearing PD-linked mutations, A30P or A53T, is influenced by the phosphorylation state of Ser-129. [less ▲]

This study was designed to investigate whether 3-methylindole (3-Mi), a tryptamine analogue, could cause pulmonary injury in calves other than by cytotoxicity. Injection of 3-Mi resulted in a marked ... [more ▼]

This study was designed to investigate whether 3-methylindole (3-Mi), a tryptamine analogue, could cause pulmonary injury in calves other than by cytotoxicity. Injection of 3-Mi resulted in a marked increase of respiratory rate, decrease of tidal volume and increase in minute ventilation. Pulmonary mechanics values were also profoundly affected, lung dynamic compliance being reduced to approximately one-third of its baseline value and total pulmonary resistance being increased two-fold. Arterial oxygen partial pressure was dramatically reduced. Successive challenges with 3-Mi after physiological saline pretreatment resulted in quantitatively identical alterations of pulmonary function values. Conversely, all these ventilatory, mechanical and gas exchange changes were abolished by pretreatment with serotonergic antagonists. It was concluded that intravenous administration of 3-Mi to healthy calves induced immediate and reversible bronchoconstriction which affected both central and peripheral airways. Because the effect was abolished by pretreatment with antiserotonin drugs, it is suggested that 3-Mi acts either directly by stimulating serotonergic receptors or indirectly through the release of serotonin from platelets. Current concepts of the physiopathological cascade underlying the toxicity of 3-Mi should, therefore, be re-evaluated in the light of this pharmacological mechanism. [less ▲]

The influence of the age and weight of the animal as well as that of the extension and the shape of the trachea on the mechanical properties of the cervical trachea was studied in 33 isolated tracheal ... [more ▼]

The influence of the age and weight of the animal as well as that of the extension and the shape of the trachea on the mechanical properties of the cervical trachea was studied in 33 isolated tracheal segments obtained from freshly slaughtered horses. The relationship between intraluminal pressure and volume was determined in the cervical tracheal segments positioned firstly under normal longitudinal tension and secondly in hyperextension. At the same time, changes in the area of the cross-section of the lumen (X-SA) at the midpoint of the segment were measured using photographs obtained by slit-lamp transillumination and endoscopy. The sagittal (DS) and transverse (DT) diameters were determined for each segment and the DT/DS ratio was calculated to give an estimate of the shape of the X-SA. The results showed that (i) neither the age nor the weight of the horses had any influence on the mechanical properties of the trachea; (ii) extension decreases the compressibility of the tracheal segment in vitro; (iii) there is a wide variation in the extrathoracic tracheal X-SA shape in horses; and (iv) the shape of the X-SA has a major influence on the mechanical properties of the trachea. It was concluded that (i) hyperextension of the neck will partly facilitate respiration at high levels of ventilation by elongating the trachea and by decreasing its collapsibility; and (ii) the tracheal collapse which may occur during high levels of ventilation will be more or less important depending on the individual X-SA shape. [less ▲]

The effects of the dietary inclusion of two levels of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) on weight loss, biochemical parameters and serum haptoglobin concentration were investigated in twelve ... [more ▼]

The effects of the dietary inclusion of two levels of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) on weight loss, biochemical parameters and serum haptoglobin concentration were investigated in twelve experimental obese Beagle dogs. Dogs were randomised into two groups and submitted to a weight loss program (WLP): the control group (C) received a commercial energy-restricted high-protein diet containing 1 % DM sc-FOS, whereas the test group (T) received the same diet enriched with sc-FOS to attain a 3 % DM content. Body weight (BW) and body condition score were weekly assessed in each dog and blood was collected before and after WLP to measure total plasma cholesterol (CHOL), TAG, NEFA, glucose (GLUC), insulin, serum leptin and haptoglobin. Groups showed similar BW and blood parameters before treatment. When values before and after treatment of the dogs were compared, significant reductions were observed for all parameters, with the exception of NEFA and GLUC. However, when these reductions were compared between C and T groups, significant differences were detected only for haptoglobin (T before v. T after: 1545 v. 605 mg/l, P = 0.03; C before v. C after: 1635 v. 1400 mg/l, P = NS). Positive correlations between haptoglobin and CHOL and between haptoglobin and TAG were observed before but not after WLP. In conclusion, feeding obese dogs with the energy-restricted diet caused significant weight loss and reduction of blood parameters, irrespective of the sc-FOS content included. However, serum haptoglobin level, and the subclinical inflammatory condition associated with it, was significantly lowered in the T but not in the C group. [less ▲]

The objective of this study was to investigate whether high-dose inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), alone or in combination with salmeterol (SAL), is as effective as oral prednisolone in reducing airway ... [more ▼]

The objective of this study was to investigate whether high-dose inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), alone or in combination with salmeterol (SAL), is as effective as oral prednisolone in reducing airway inflammation and obstruction in cats with experimentally-induced acute asthma. Six cats sensitised to Ascaris suum (AS) were enrolled in a prospective controlled therapeutic trial and underwent four aerosol challenges, at 1-month intervals with AS allergen. The allergen - stimulated animals received four consecutive days treatment with either oral prednisolone at 1mg/kg twice daily, 500μg of FP inhaled twice daily, or a combination of FP/SAL at 500μg/50μg inhaled twice daily, respectively, according to a randomised cross-over design. Treatment-related changes in lung function, airway responsiveness (AR) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology were assessed. Barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP) was used for the assessment of respiratory variables and AR. No significant differences in respiratory rate or Penh (an estimate of airflow limitation measured by BWBP) were detected among treatment groups. Allergen-induced airway hyper-responsiveness was significantly inhibited by all three steroid treatments (P<0.05). The mean BALF eosinophil percentage (±SEM) was lower after oral and inhaled corticosteroid treatment and these changes were significant for groups receiving prednisolone and the FP/SAL combination. Findings suggest high-dose FP, particularly in combination with SAL, is effective in ameliorating airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in this model of acute feline asthma, and highlight the potential use of these drugs in cats experiencing acute exacerbations of the naturally occurring disease. [less ▲]

This study investigated some physiological responses to exercise performed by a horse during show jumping. The effects of jumping on heart rate (HR), blood lactate (LA) and some other blood values were ... [more ▼]

This study investigated some physiological responses to exercise performed by a horse during show jumping. The effects of jumping on heart rate (HR), blood lactate (LA) and some other blood values were studied in nine normal horses participating at the Belgian Junior Championship. Venous blood was sampled before and immediately after the show jumping and was analysed for packed cell volume, LA, blood glucose (GLU), total plasma protein, bicarbonate, sodium, potassium (K+), chloride, calcium and activities of plasma lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase (CK) aspartate amino transferase and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT). A heart rate recorder placed under the saddle allowed the continuous recording of HR from the warm-up until 2 mins after the event. The completion of the jumping induced significant changes in all values, except in K, GLU and GGT. Resting values of LA and HR were 0.53 +/- 0.05 mmol/litre and 43.9 +/- 1.9 beats/min respectively. Post exercise LA reached a mean value of 9.04 +/- 0.9 mmol/litre, and, during the jumping, HR rose to a peak of 191.4 +/- 3.8 beats/min. The results of this study demonstrate that, although the speed and duration of such an exercise are low, show jumping represents a severe exertion which requires the use of anaerobic metabolism. This implies that the training schedule of jumpers must include power training in order to improve their anaerobic capacity. [less ▲]

BACKGROUND: The long-term effects of sibutramine treatment on the rates of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death among subjects at high cardiovascular risk have not been established. METHODS: We ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: The long-term effects of sibutramine treatment on the rates of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death among subjects at high cardiovascular risk have not been established. METHODS: We enrolled in our study 10,744 overweight or obese subjects, 55 years of age or older, with preexisting cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or both to assess the cardiovascular consequences of weight management with and without sibutramine in subjects at high risk for cardiovascular events. All the subjects received sibutramine in addition to participating in a weight-management program during a 6-week, single-blind, lead-in period, after which 9804 subjects underwent random assignment in a double-blind fashion to sibutramine (4906 subjects) or placebo (4898 subjects). The primary end point was the time from randomization to the first occurrence of a primary outcome event (nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, resuscitation after cardiac arrest, or cardiovascular death). RESULTS: The mean duration of treatment was 3.4 years. The mean weight loss during the lead-in period was 2.6 kg; after randomization, the subjects in the sibutramine group achieved and maintained further weight reduction (mean, 1.7 kg). The mean blood pressure decreased in both groups, with greater reductions in the placebo group than in the sibutramine group (mean difference, 1.2/1.4 mm Hg). The risk of a primary outcome event was 11.4% in the sibutramine group as compared with 10.0% in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.31; P=0.02). The rates of nonfatal myocardial infarction and nonfatal stroke were 4.1% and 2.6% in the sibutramine group and 3.2% and 1.9% in the placebo group, respectively (hazard ratio for nonfatal myocardial infarction, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.57; P=0.02; hazard ratio for nonfatal stroke, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.77; P=0.03). The rates of cardiovascular death and death from any cause were not increased. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with preexisting cardiovascular conditions who were receiving long-term sibutramine treatment had an increased risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction and nonfatal stroke but not of cardiovascular death or death from any cause. (Funded by Abbott; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00234832.) [less ▲]